Increased energy and decreased cancer-related fatigue Doctors encourage many people with cancer to exercise, because it is safe and can improve your physical condition and quality of life.
Increased muscle strength and endurance Exercise programs can help you to cope with cancer and treatment, and have been shown to be safe, feasible and effective.
Increased cardiovascular and respiratory function If you have cancer and you are considering an exercise program, it is important to choose your exercise in consultation with your doctor, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
Physical Activity and the Cancer Patient In the past, people being treated for a chronic illness (an illness a person may live with for a long time, like cancer or diabetes) were often told by their doctor to rest and reduce their physical activity. This is good advice if movement causes pain, rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath. But newer research has shown that exercise is not only safe and possible during cancer treatment, but it can improve how well you function physically and your quality of life. Too much rest can lead to loss of body function, muscle weakness, and reduced range of motion. So today, many cancer care teams are urging their patients to be as physically active as possible during cancer treatment. Many people are learning about the advantages of being physically active after treatment, too.
Goals of an exercise program During treatment There are many reasons for being physically active during cancer treatment, but each person’s exercise program should be based on what’s safe and what works best for them. It should also be something you like doing. Your exercise plan should take into account any exercise program you already follow, what you can do now, and any physical problems or limits you have. Certain things affect your ability to exercise, for instance: • Keep or improve your physical abilities (how well you can use your body to do things) • Improve balance, lower risk of falls and broken bones • Keep muscles from wasting due to inactivity If you exercised before treatment, you might need to exercise less than usual or at a lower intensity during treatment. The goal is to stay as active and fit as possible. People who were very sedentary (inactive) before cancer treatment may need to start with short, low-intensity activity, such as short slow walks. For older people, those with cancer that has spread to the bones or osteoporosis (bone thinning), or problems like arthritis or peripheral neuropathy (numbness in hands or feet), safety and balance are important to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. They may need a caregiver or health professional with them during exercise. Some people can safely begin or maintain their own exercise program, but many will have better results with the help of an exercise specialist, physical therapist, or exercise physiologist. Be sure to get your doctor’s OK first, and be sure that the person working with you knows about your cancer diagnosis and any limitations you have. These specially trained professionals can help you find the type of exercise that’s right and safe for you. They can also help you figure out how often and how long you should exercise. Whether you’re just starting exercise or continuing it, your doctor should have input on tailoring an exercise program to meet your interests and needs. Keep your cancer team informed on how you’re doing in regards to your activity level and exercise throughout your treatment. After treatment When you are recovering from treatment Many side effects get better within a few weeks after cancer treatment ends, but some can last much longer or even emerge later. Most people are able to slowly increase exercise time and intensity. What may be a low- or moderate-intensity activity for a healthy person may seem like a high-intensity activity for some cancer survivors. Keep in mind that moderate exercise is defined as activity that takes as much effort as a brisk walk. When you are living disease-free or with stable disease During this phase, physical activity is important to your overall health and quality of life. It may even help some people live longer. There’s some evidence that getting to and staying at a healthy weight, eating right, and being physically active may help reduce the risk of a second cancer as well as other serious chronic diseases. More research is needed to be sure about these possible benefits.
Ways regular exercise may help you during cancer treatment • Keep or improve your physical abilities (how well you can use your body to do things) • Improve balance, lower risk of falls and broken bones • Keep muscles from wasting due to inactivity • Lessen the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones that are more likely to break) • Improve blood flow to your legs and lower the risk of blood clots • Make you less dependent on others for help with normal activities of daily living • Improve your self-esteem • Lower the risk of being anxious and depressed • Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells • Lessen nausea • Improve your ability to keep social contacts • Lessen symptoms of tiredness (fatigue) • Help you control your weight • Improve your quality of life We still don’t know a lot about how exercise and physical activity affect your recovery from cancer, or their effects on the immune system. But regular moderate exercise has been found to have health benefits for the person with cancer. Gallery item 1 Gallery item 2 Gallery item 3 Gallery item 4
Effective exercise To make your exercise effort most effective (give you the best results), it’s important that you work your heart. Notice your heart rate, your breathing, and how tired your muscles get. If you get short of breath or very tired, rest for a few seconds, and start exercising again as you are able. When you first start, the goal is to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time. Go slow at first, and over the next few weeks, increase the length of time you exercise. Be careful if you’re taking blood pressure medicine that controls your heart rate. Your heart rate will not go up, but your blood pressure can get high. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about this if you’re not sure about your medicines. We don’t know the best level of exercise for someone with cancer. The goal is to have your exercise program help you keep up your muscle strength and keep you able to do the things you want and need to do. The more you exercise, the better you’ll be able to exercise and function. But even if planned exercise stops, it’s good to keep being active by doing your normal activities as much as you can.